Fishermen, invited to a meeting at the Sandy Ground Police Station on Tuesday evening by the Ministry of Home Affairs, have been told by various speakers that they should take every precaution to ensure their safety at sea. The meeting, chaired by Permanent Secretary, Aurjul Wilson, who gave the welcome remarks, drew a large attendance.
Minister of Home Affairs, Walcott Richardson, who has responsibility for fisheries, advised the fishermen to be prepared to take action to improve safety at sea. He said it was necessary for his Ministry and Department of Fisheries to put some structure (like a Fishing Association) in place and that efforts were being made to find a sponsor such as Social Security and other business organisations.
Fisheries Officer, Kenroy Rawlins, Police Sergeant Eversely Browne and Damien Barker of the Department of Disaster Management, spoke at length about the need for fishermen to disclose the area where they travel to fish; the importance of taking food and water with them; and the importance of radios or GPS-related equipment; flares and life vests.
Crefton Niles, Director of Public Utilities/Telecommunications Officer, made the point that a VHF Radio was a communication lifeline between fishermen, other boaters, the local Coastal Station, the US Coast Guard and other emergency services. He stressed that channel 16 was an international calling and distress channel and that radios should be used properly. He said there were complaints from international shipping companies that fishermen and other boaters in Anguilla were misusing the international channel for ordinary chatter, a practice they should discontinue.
Samuel Webster, Adviser on Fisheries to the Minister, spoke about the benefits of his satellite device that tells his location and enables him to stay in contact with ten persons during his fishing trips. He encouraged other fishermen to procure similar safety devices and mentioned plans relating to the development of the fishing industry including the formation of a Fishers Association.
This has been the second meeting with fishermen called by the Ministry and Department of Fisheries with inputs by the Department of Disaster Management, the Marine Section of the Royal Anguilla Police Force and the Department of Infrastructure and Public Utilities. The first meeting was held at the Alwyn Allison Primary School for fishermen at West End/Long Bay. The third meeting will be held at Island Harbour for fishermen there.
